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Other recent tragedies

“There was no evidence of any skid marks and no evidence that a road traffic collision took place."

The medical examiner confirmed that Mr Plunkett’s injuries were in keeping with a fall from a great height and that they were the cause of his death.

None of the injuries Mr Plunkett sustained were deemed suspicious by the medical examiner, and he tested negative in a toxicology report that screens for 400 drugs or chemicals that may have affected his thinking.

Derby Coroner's Court heard how, on the day before his death, Mr Plunkett had been diagnosed with skin cancer at a clinic and had previously suffered with prostate cancer.

The inquest heard Mr Plunkett had twice been diagnosed with cancer

The coroner gave his cause of death as extensive brain, soft tissue and organ trauma following a fall from a bridge.

Senior coroner Dr Robert Hunter said: “I find that it is more likely than not that Mr Plunkett took his own life while his judgement was impaired.

“He was a long-term carer for his wife which can be a very stressful job.

“The day before his death he visited a clinic which confirmed that he had skin cancer.

“The idea came to him in an emotional state and he took this action whilst the balance of his mind was temporarily disturbed.”